Shorgi

The adorable Shorgi, a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Corgi (typically a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi) is an affectionate and loyal little dog that carries itself with a distinctively regal air. This is not surprising since the Shih Tzu can be traced all the way back to China's Ming Dynasty, while the Corgi most famous for being the Queen's breed of choice! Strong-willed and sometimes stubborn, the Shorgi has plenty of attitude, but he's also friendly, playful and intelligent.

Exercise

Shorgis are a little bit more energetic than Shih Tzus, so expect to factor in additional playtime. The Shorgi is quick on his feet, but he doesn't need a lot of outdoor exercise; short walks and indoor playing will usually suffice. Shorgis are also great lapdogs and tend to become extremely attached to their owners (they can be somewhat needy). However, they make great family pets and, with appropriate supervision, it's fine for them to be around children.

Diet & Health

The Shorgi diet is relatively straightforward and similar to that of other small dog breeds. They should be fed high quality kibble – wet food is not recommended as, like Shih Tzus, Shorgis can tend to have oral health problems. The kibble should be balanced enough to meet the needs of these small but energetic dogs. As well as oral health issues, Shorgis can experience eye problems, liver disease and bladder stones.

The Shorgi coat requires quite a bit of maintenance. Daily grooming is required to ensure the coat stays soft and silky and does not become matted. Regular bathing and trimming will help keep the Shorgi's coat in great condition.

Training

When it comes to training, Shorgis are bright and generally obedient, but they're also a bit on the stubborn side. They are more than capable of learning a wide range of commands, but their training needs to be approached with patience as they can generally only manage short training sessions. Training should take the form of positive reinforcement at all times, and the Shorgi should be praised and rewarded throughout the training process.

As for housebreaking, this again will take time and patience as Shorgi puppies can be difficult to housetrain, but puppy pads and crates can help with the training process, and owners should keep a close eye out for signs that their Shorgi puppy needs to go to the bathroom.

Shorgi Facts:

The Queen has so far had more than 30 Corgis over her lifetime – her very first Corgi was named Susan.

Shorgis typically have a lifespan of between 12-15 years.

Shorgis are surprisingly sturdy little dogs and, depending on the size of their parents, can weigh more than 20lbs.